Electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device including a display layer and a sensor layer including a plurality of sensing units. Each of the plurality of sensing units includes at least one sub sensing unit. The at least one sub sensing unit includes a first pattern including a first portion and a second portion, a first cross pattern including a first cross portion and a second cross portion, a second cross pattern, and a bridge pattern. The second portion extends in a first cross direction crossing the first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction to face the first cross portion, and the second cross portion extends in the first cross direction to face the first portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0080471, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure herein relate toan electric device having improved sensing reliability.

Electronic devices may sense an external input applied from the outsideof the electronic devices. The external input may be a user's input. Theuser's input may include various types of external inputs such as aportion of user's body, light, heat, a pen, a pressure, or the like. Theelectronic devices may recognize coordinates of the pen using anelectromagnetic resonance (EMR) method or may recognize the coordinatesof the pen using an active electrostatic (AES) method.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background and therefore theinformation discussed in this Background section does not necessarilyconstitute prior art.

SUMMARY

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure include anelectric device having relatively improved sensing reliability.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an electronicdevice includes: a display layer; and a sensor layer on the displaylayer, on which an active area and a peripheral area adjacent to theactive area are defined, and which includes a plurality of sensing unitson the active area and a plurality of lines on the peripheral area.According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of sensing unitsincludes at least one sub sensing unit, the at least one sub sensingunit may include: a first pattern including a first portion and a secondportion protruding from the first portion; a first cross patternincluding a first cross portion and a second cross portion protrudingfrom the first cross portion; a second cross pattern spaced apart fromthe first cross pattern with the first portion therebetween; and abridge pattern electrically connected to the first cross pattern and thesecond cross pattern and cross to be insulated from the first portion,the first portion may extend in a first direction, the first crossportion may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction,the second portion may extend in a first cross direction crossing thefirst direction and the second direction to face the first crossportion, and the second cross portion may extend in the first crossdirection to face the first portion.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of second portions maysurround the plurality of second cross portions, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may have a shape inwhich a shape symmetrical with respect to a first axis extending in thefirst direction is symmetrical with a second axis extending in thesecond direction, the first cross pattern may have a shape symmetricalwith respect to the second axis, and the first cross pattern and thesecond cross pattern may have shapes symmetrical to each other withrespect to the first axis.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may further include athird portion protruding from the first portion in the second direction,and the second portion may further include: a first branch portionadjacent to the first portion and extending in the second direction; asecond branch portion adjacent to the first branch portion and extendingin the first cross direction; and a third branch portion adjacent to thesecond branch portion, facing the first cross portion, and extending inthe first direction.

According to some embodiments, the second cross portion may be betweenthe second portion and the third portion.

According to some embodiments, the first cross pattern may furtherinclude a third cross portion protruding from the first cross portion inthe first direction, and the second cross portion may include: a firstcross branch portion adjacent to the first cross portion and extendingin the first direction; a second cross branch portion adjacent to thefirst cross branch portion and extending in the first cross direction;and a third cross branch portion adjacent to the second cross branchportion, facing the first portion, and extending in the seconddirection.

According to some embodiments, the second portion may be between thesecond cross portion and the third cross portion.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may further include athird portion spaced apart from the second portion with the first crosspattern therebetween and protruding from the first portion, the secondportion may include: a first branch portion adjacent to the firstportion and extending in the second direction; a second branch portionadjacent to the first branch portion and extending in the first crossdirection; and a third portion adjacent to the second branch portion,facing the first cross portion, and extending in the first direction,and the third portion may include: a fourth branch portion adjacent tothe first portion and extending in the second direction; a fifth branchportion adjacent to the fourth branch portion and extending in a secondcross direction crossing the first cross direction; and a sixth adjacentto the fifth branch portion and extending in the first direction.

According to some embodiments, the first cross pattern may furtherinclude a third cross portion protruding from the first cross portion,and the second portion may surround the second cross portion, and thethird cross portion may surround the third portion.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may have a shapesymmetrical with respect to a first axis extending in the firstdirection, and the first cross pattern and the second cross pattern mayhave shapes symmetrical to each other with respect to the first axis.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may have a shape thatis point symmetrical with respect to a first point at which a first axisextending in the first direction and a second axis extending in thesecond direction cross each other, and the first cross pattern and thesecond cross pattern may have shape symmetrical to each other withrespect to the first point.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may further include athird portion spaced apart from the second portion with the firstpattern therebetween and protruding from the first portion, the secondportion may include: a first branch portion adjacent to the firstportion and extending in the second direction; a second branch portionadjacent to the first branch portion and extending in the first crossdirection; and a third portion adjacent to the second branch portion andextending in the first direction, and the third portion may include: afourth branch portion adjacent to the first portion and extending in thesecond direction; a fifth branch portion adjacent to the fourth branchportion and extending in a second cross direction crossing the firstcross direction; and a sixth adjacent to the fifth branch portion andextending in the first direction.

According to some embodiments, the second cross pattern may include athird cross portion extending in the second direction and spaced apartfrom the first cross portion with the first portion therebetween and afourth cross portion protruding from the third cross portion, and thesecond cross portion may surround the second portion, and the thirdportion may surround the fourth cross portion.

According to some embodiments, each of the first pattern, the firstcross pattern, and the second cross pattern may have a shape symmetricalwith respect to a second axis extending in the second direction.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern may have a shape thatis point symmetrical with respect to a first point at which a first axisextending in the first direction and a second axis extending in thesecond direction cross each other, and the first cross pattern and thesecond cross pattern may have shapes symmetrical to each other withrespect to the first point.

According to some embodiments, the first pattern, the first crosspattern, the second cross pattern, and the bridge pattern may have amesh structure.

According to some embodiments, the at least one sub sensing unit may beprovided in plurality, and the plurality of lines may include a firstline and a second line, which are electrically connected to theplurality of sub sensing units.

According to some embodiments, the first line may be electricallyconnected to the first pattern, and the second line may be electricallyconnected to the first cross pattern, the second cross pattern, and thebridge pattern.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an electronicdevice includes: a display layer; and a sensor layer on the displaylayer, on which an active area and a peripheral area adjacent to theactive area are defined, which includes a plurality of sensing units onthe active area and a plurality of lines on the peripheral area, andwhich senses an input of an input device, wherein each of the pluralityof sensing units includes at least one sub sensing unit, the at leastone sub sensing unit includes: an electrode including a first portionextending in a first direction and a plurality of second portionsprotruding from the first portion; and an cross electrode including aplurality of first cross portions extending in a second directioncrossing the first direction, a plurality of second cross portionsrespectively protruding from the plurality of first cross portions, anda bridge pattern cross to be insulated from the first portion andelectrically connected to the plurality of cross patterns, each of theplurality of second portions includes: a first branch portion extendingin the second direction; a second branch portion extending from thefirst branch portion and extending in a cross direction crossing thefirst direction and the second direction; and a third branch portionextending from the second branch portion and extending in the firstdirection, and the sensor layer senses an input by touch through achange in mutual capacitance generated between the electrode and thecross electrode and senses an input by the input device through a changein capacitance of each of the electrode and the cross electrode.

According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of sensing unitsmay include a plurality of sub sensing units, the plurality of lines mayinclude a first line and a second line, the first line may beelectrically connected to each of the plurality of sub sensing units,and the second line may be electrically connected to the cross electrodeof each of the plurality of sub sensing units.

According to some embodiments, when viewed on a plane, the outermostportion of an electrode area defined by the plurality of second portionsand the plurality of second cross portions may have an octagonal shape.

According to some embodiments, the second branch portion of each of theplurality of second portions may be adjacent to each of the plurality ofsecond cross portions.

According to some embodiments, each of the electrode and the crosselectrode may have a shape symmetrical with respect to a first axisextending in the first direction.

According to some embodiments, each of the electrode and the crosselectrode may have a shape symmetrical with respect to a second axisextending in the second direction.

According to some embodiments, each of the first electrode and the crosselectrode may have a shape that is point symmetrical with respect to afirst point at which a first axis extending in the first direction and asecond axis extending in the second direction cross each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of embodiments according to the inventive concept, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate aspects of some embodiments of the inventive conceptand, together with the description, serve to explain principles ofaspects of embodiments according to the inventive concept. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to someembodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the electronic deviceand an input device according to some embodiments of the inventiveconcept;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sensor layer according to some embodimentsof the inventive concept.

FIG. 5A is a plan view illustrating one of a plurality of sensing unitsaccording to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5Aaccording to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 5C is an enlarged plan view of an area AA′ of FIG. 5A according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are plan views illustrating one of a plurality of sensingunits according to some embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 9 to 13 are plan views illustrating a sub sensing unit accordingto some embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 14A is a view illustrating a sensor layer in a first mode accordingto some embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 14B is a view illustrating the sensor layer in a second modeaccording to some embodiments of the inventive concept; and

FIGS. 14C and 14D are views illustrating the sensing layer according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification, it will also be understood that when onecomponent (or region, layer, portion) is referred to as being “on”,“connected to”, or “coupled to” another component, it can be directlylocated on/connected to/coupled on/to the one component, or anintervening third component may also be present.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, in thefigures, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of components areexaggerated for clarity of illustration.

The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms such as ‘first’ and‘second’ are used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. The terms are only used todistinguish one component from other components. For example, a firstelement referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referredto as a second element in another embodiment without departing from thescope of the appended claims. The terms of a singular form may includeplural forms unless referred to the contrary.

Also, “under”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, and the like are used forexplaining relation association of components illustrated in thedrawings. The terms may be a relative concept and described based ondirections expressed in the drawings.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.Also, terms such as defined terms in commonly used dictionaries are tobe interpreted as having meanings consistent with meaning in the contextof the relevant art and are expressly defined herein unless interpretedin an ideal or overly formal sense.

The meaning of “include” or “comprise” specifies a property, a fixednumber, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combinationthereof, but does not exclude other properties, fixed numbers, steps,operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, aspects of some embodiments of the inventive concept willbe described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to someembodiments of the inventive concept;

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 1000 may be a device that isactivated according to an electrical signal. For example, the electronicdevice 1000 may be a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a car navigation system,a game console, or a wearable device, but embodiments according to thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto. FIG. 1 illustrates anexample in which the electronic device 1000 is a mobile phone.

The electronic device 1000 may display images at an active area 1000A.The active area 1000A may include a surface (e.g., a display surface)defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2. A thicknessdirection of the electronic device 1000 may be parallel to a thirddirection DR3 crossing (e.g., perpendicular or normal with respect to)the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Thus, a frontsurface (or top surface) and a rear surface (or bottom surface) of eachof members constituting the electronic device 1000 may be defined basedon the third direction DR3.

An electronic device 1000 may sense inputs applied from the outsidethereof. The external inputs may be user's inputs. The user's inputs mayinclude various types of external inputs such as a portion of the user'sbody, light, heat, or a pressure.

The electronic device 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 may sense an input by auser's touch and an input by an input device 2000. The input device 2000may refer to a device other than the user's body. For example, the inputdevice 2000 may be an active pen, a stylus pen, a touch pen, or anelectronic pen. Hereinafter, a case in which the input device 2000 isthe active pen will be described as an example.

The electronic device 1000 and the input device 2000 may performbidirectional communication. The electronic device 1000 may provide anuplink signal to the input device 2000. For example, the uplink signalmay include a synchronization signal or information of the electronicdevice 1000, but is not particularly limited thereto. The input device2000 may provide a downlink signal to the electronic device 1000. Thedownlink signal may include a synchronization signal or stateinformation of the input device 2000. For example, the downlink signalincludes coordinate information of the input device 2000, batteryinformation of the input device 2000, inclination information of theinput device 2000, and/or various information stored in the input device2000, but embodiments according to the present disclosure are notparticularly limited thereto.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the electronic deviceand the input device according to some embodiments of the inventiveconcept.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 1000 may include a displaylayer 100 and a sensor layer 200.

The display layer 100 may be configured to substantially generate animage. The display layer 100 may be an emission-type display layer. Forexample, the display layer 100 may be an organic light emitting displaylayer, a quantum dot display layer, a micro LED display layer, or a nanoLED display layer.

The sensor layer 200 may be located on the display layer 100. The sensorlayer 200 may sense an external input applied from the outside. Thesensor layer 200 may sense both an input by the user's body 3000 and aninput by the input device 2000.

The sensor layer 200 may operate by time-division driving. For example,the sensor layer 200 may be driven repeatedly alternately in a firstmode and a second mode. The first mode may be a mode for sensing theinput by the user's body 3000, and the second mode may be a mode forsensing the input by the input device 2000.

In the second mode, the sensor layer 200 may provide an uplink signalULS to the input device 2000. When the input device 2000 receives theuplink signal ULS and is synchronized with the electronic device 1000,the input device 2000 may provide a downlink signal DLS to the sensorlayer 200.

The input device 2000 may include a power supply 2100, a memory 2200, acontrol unit 2300, a transmission unit 2400, a reception unit 2500, anda pen electrode 2600. However, components constituting the input device2000 are not limited to the components listed above. For example, theinput device 2000 may further include an electrode switch for convertingthe pen electrode 2600 to a signal transmission mode or a signalreception mode, a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure, a rotationsensor for sensing rotation, or the like.

The power supply 2100 may include a battery or a high-capacity capacitorthat supplies power to the input device 2000. The memory 2200 may storefunction information of the input device 2000. The control unit 2300 maycontrol an operation of the input device 2000. Each of the transmissionunit 2400 and the reception unit 2500 may communicate with theelectronic device 1000 through the pen electrode 2600. The transmissionunit 2400 may be referred to as a signal generator or a transmissioncircuit, and the reception unit 2500 may be referred to as a signalreceiver or a reception circuit. The sensor layer 200 may acquire thecoordinates or inclination of the input device 2000 through the penelectrode 2600. An input area of the pen electrode 2600 may have a firstwidth WE.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept;

Referring to FIG. 3, the display layer 100 may include a base layer 110,a circuit layer 120, a light emitting element layer 130, and anencapsulation layer 140.

The base layer 110 may be a member that provides a base surface on whicha circuit layer 120 is located. The base layer 110 may be a glasssubstrate, a metal substrate, or a polymer substrate. However, the baselayer 110 according to some embodiments of the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. For example, the base layer 110 may be an inorganiclayer, an organic layer, or a composite material layer.

The base layer 110 may have a multilayered structure. For example, thebase layer 110 includes a first synthetic resin layer, a silicon oxide(SiOx) layer located on the first synthetic resin layer, an amorphoussilicon (a-Si) layer located on the silicon oxide layer, and a secondsynthetic resin layer located on the amorphous silicon layer. Thesilicon oxide layer and the amorphous silicon layer may be referred toas a base barrier layer. Each of the first and second synthetic resinlayers may include a polyimide-based resin. Also, each of the first andsecond synthetic resin layers may include at least one of anacrylate-based resin, a methacrylate-based resin, a polyisoprene-basedresin, a vinyl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, a urethane-basedresin, a cellulose-based resin, a siloxane-based resin, apolyamide-based resin, or a perylene-based resin. In this specification,the “˜˜”-based resin means as including a functional group of “˜˜”.

The circuit layer 120 may be located on the base layer 110. The circuitlayer 120 may include an insulating layer, a semiconductor pattern, aconductive pattern, and a signal line. The insulating layer, thesemiconductor layer, and the conductive layer may be formed on the baselayer 110 in a manner such as coating or vapor deposition, and then, theinsulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer maybe selectively patterned through a plurality of photolithographyprocesses. Thereafter, the semiconductor pattern, the conductivepattern, and the signal line included in the circuit layer 120 may beprovided.

At least one inorganic layer may be located on a top surface of the baselayer 110. The inorganic layer may include at least one of aluminumoxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide silicon oxynitride, zirconiumoxide, or hafnium oxide. The inorganic layer may be provided as amultilayer. The multilayered inorganic layer may constitute a barrierlayer and/or a buffer layer. According to some embodiments, the displaylayer 100 is illustrated as including a buffer layer BFL.

The buffer layer BFL may improve bonding force between the base layer110 and the semiconductor pattern. The buffer layer BFL may include asilicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer, and the silicon oxidelayer and the silicon nitride layer may be alternately laminated.

The semiconductor pattern may be located on the buffer layer BFL. Thesemiconductor pattern may include polysilicon. However, the embodimentsaccording to the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example,the semiconductor pattern may include amorphous silicon or metal oxide.

FIG. 3 illustrates merely a portion of the semiconductor pattern. Forexample, the semiconductor pattern may be further located on otherareas. The semiconductor pattern may be arranged in a specific rule overpixels. The semiconductor pattern has different electrical propertiesdepending on whether the semiconductor pattern is doped. Thesemiconductor pattern may include a first region having highconductivity and a second region having low conductivity. The firstregion may be doped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant. A P-typetransistor may include a doped region doped with the P-type dopant, andan N-type transistor may include a doped region doped with the N-typedopant. The second region may be a non-doped region or may be doped at aconcentration less than that of the first region.

The first region may have conductivity greater than that of the secondregion and may substantially serve as an electrode or a signal line. Thesecond region may substantially correspond to an active (or channel) ofthe transistor. That is to say, a portion of the semiconductor patternmay be an active of the transistor, another portion may be a source ordrain of the transistor, and further another portion may be a connectionelectrode or a connection signal line.

Each of the pixels may have an equivalent circuit including seventransistors, one capacitor, and a light emitting element, and anequivalent circuit diagram of the pixel may be modified in variousforms. In FIG. 3, one transistor 100PC and a light emitting device 100PEincluded in the pixel are illustrated as an example.

A source SC1, an active A1, and a drain D1 of the transistor 100PC maybe provided from the semiconductor pattern. The source SC1 and the drainD1 may extend in opposite directions from the active A1 on across-section. FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a connection signal lineSCL formed from the semiconductor pattern. According to someembodiments, the connection signal line SCL may be connected to thedrain D1 of the transistor 100PC on the plane.

The first insulating layer 10 may be located on the buffer layer BFL.The first insulating layer 10 commonly overlaps the plurality of pixelsPX to cover the semiconductor pattern. The first insulating layer 10 mayinclude an inorganic layer and/or an organic layer and have asingle-layered or multilayered structure. The first insulating layer 10may include at least one of oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide,silicon oxide nitride, zirconium oxide, or hafnium oxide. According tosome embodiments, the first insulating layer 10 may include asingle-layered silicon oxide layer. The insulating layer of the circuitlayer 120, which will be described later, as well as the firstinsulating layer 10 may be an inorganic layer and/or an organic layerand may have a single-layered or a multilayered structure. The inorganiclayer may include at least one of the above-described materials, butembodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

A gate G1 is located on the first insulating layer 10. Each of the gateG1 may be a portion of a metal pattern. The gate G1 overlaps the activeA1. In the process in which the semiconductor pattern is doped, the gateG1 may function as a mask.

The second insulating layer 20 may be located on the first insulatinglayer 10 to cover the gate G1. The second insulating layer 20 maycommonly overlap the pixels. The second insulating layer 20 may be aninorganic layer and/or an organic layer and have a single-layered ormultilayered structure. According to some embodiments, the firstinsulating layer 20 may include a single-layered silicon oxide layer.

The third insulating layer 30 may be located on the second insulatinglayer 20. According to some embodiments, the third insulating layer 30may be a single-layered silicon oxide layer.

A first connection electrode CNE1 may be located on the third insulatinglayer 30. The first connection electrode CNE1 may be connected to thesignal line SCL through a contact hole CNT-1 passing through the firstto third insulating layers 10 to 30.

A fourth insulating layer 40 may be located on the third insulatinglayer 30. The fourth insulating layer 40 may be a single-layered siliconoxide layer. A fifth insulating layer 50 may be located on the fourthinsulating layer 40. The fifth insulating layer 50 may be an organiclayer.

A second connection electrode CNE2 may be located on the fifthinsulating layer 50. The second connection electrode CNE2 may beconnected to the first connection electrode CNE1 through a contact holeCNT-2 passing through the fourth insulating layer 40 and the fifthinsulating layer 50.

A sixth insulating layer 60 may be located on the fifth insulating layer50 to cover the second connection electrode CNE2. The sixth insulatinglayer 60 may be an organic layer. A light emitting element layer 130 maybe located on the circuit layer 120. The light emitting element layer130 may include a light emitting element. For example, the lightemitting element layer 130 may include an organic light emittingmaterial, quantum dots, quantum rods, a micro LED, or a nano LED. Thelight emitting element 100PE may include a first electrode AE, anemission layer EL, and a second electrode CE.

The first electrode AE may be located on the sixth insulating layer 60.The first electrode AE may be connected to the second connectionelectrode CNE2 through a contact hole CNT-3 passing through the sixthinsulating layer 60.

A pixel defining layer 70 may be located on the sixth insulating layer60 to cover a portion of the first electrode AE. An opening 70-OP may bedefined in the pixel defining layer 70. The opening 70-OP of the pixeldefining layer 70 may expose at least a portion of the first electrodeAE. According to some embodiments, an emission area PXA may be definedto correspond to a portion of an area of the first electrode AE, whichis exposed by the opening 70-OP. A non-emission area NPXA may surroundthe emission area PXA.

The emission layer EL may be located on the first electrode AE. Theemission layer EL may be located in the opening 70-OP. That is, theemission layer EL may be located to be separated from each of thepixels. When the emission layer EL is arranged to be separated from eachof the pixels, each of the emission layers EL may emit light having atleast one of blue, red, or green color. However, the embodimentsaccording to the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example,the emission layer EL may be commonly provided to be connected to thepixels. In this case, the emission layer EL may provide blue light orwhite light.

The second electrode CE may be located on the emission layer EL. Thesecond electrode CE may have an integrated shape and commonly located onthe plurality of pixels. A common voltage may be provided to the secondelectrode CE, and the second electrode CE may be referred to as a commonelectrode.

According to some embodiments, a hole control layer may be locatedbetween the first electrode AE and the emission layer EL. The holecontrol layer may be commonly located on the emission area PXA and thenon-emission area NPXA. The hole control layer may include a holetransport layer and may further include a hole injection layer. Anelectron control layer may be located between the emission layer EL andthe second electrode CE. The electron control layer may include anelectron transport layer and may further include an electron injectionlayer. The hole control layer and the electron control layer may becommonly formed in the plurality of pixels by using an open mask.

An encapsulation layer 140 may be located on the light emitting elementlayer 130. The encapsulation layer 140 may include an inorganic layer,an organic layers, and an inorganic layer, which are sequentiallylaminated, but layers constituting the encapsulation layer 140 are notlimited thereto.

The inorganic layers may protect the light emitting element layer 130against moisture and oxygen, and the organic layer may protect the lightemitting element layer 130 against foreign substances such as dustparticles. The inorganic layers may include a silicon nitride layer, asilicon oxy nitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxidelayer, or an aluminum oxide layer. The organic layer may include anacrylic-based organic layer, but the embodiments according to theinventive concept are not limited thereto.

The sensor layer 200 may be located on the display layer 100 through acontinuous process. In this case, the sensor layer 200 may be expressedas being directly arranged on the display layer 100. The directarrangement may mean that a third component is not located between thesensor layer 200 and the display layer 100. That is, a separate adhesivemember may not be located between the sensor layer 200 and the displaylayer 100. In this case, a thickness of the electronic device 1000 maybe thinner.

The sensor layer 200 may include a base insulating layer 201, a firstconductive layer 202, a sensing insulating layer 203, a secondconductive layer 204, and a cover insulating layer 205.

The base insulating layer 201 may be an inorganic layer including anyone of silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and silicon oxide.Alternatively, the base insulating layer 201 may be an organic layerincluding an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, or an imide-based resin. Thebase insulating layer 201 may have a single-layered structure or amultilayered structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated inthe third direction DR3.

Each of the first conductive layer 202 and the second conductive layer204 may have a single-layered structure or a multilayered structure inwhich a plurality of layers are laminated in the third directional axisDR3.

The conductive layer having the single-layered structure may include ametal layer or a transparent conductive layer. The metal layer mayinclude molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or an alloythereof. The transparent conductive layer may include transparentconductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide(IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), and the like. Inaddition, the transparent conductive layer may include conductivepolymers such as PEDOT, metal nanowires, graphene, and the like.

The conductive layer having the multilayered structure may include metallayers. The metal layers may have a three-layered structure oftitanium/aluminum/titanium. The conductive layer having the multilayeredstructure may include at least one metal layer and at least onetransparent conductive layer.

At least one of the sensing insulating layer 203 or the cover insulatinglayer 205 may include an inorganic layer. The inorganic layer mayinclude at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide,silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, or hafnium oxide.

A parasitic capacitance Cb may be generated between the sensor layer 200and the second electrode CE. As the distance between the sensor layer200 and the second electrode CE becomes closer, a value of the parasiticcapacitance Cb may increase. As the parasitic capacitance Cb increases,a ratio of change in amount of capacitance to the reference value maydecrease. The change in capacitance may mean a change in capacitancethat occurs before and after an input by the input unit, for example,the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) or the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 3).

The driving chip processing the signal sensed from the sensor layer 200may perform a leveling operation of removing a value corresponding tothe parasitic capacitance Cb from the sensed signal. The ratio of changein amount of capacitance to the reference value may increase to sensingsensitivity by the leveling operation.

However, there may be a difference in ability to remove a valuecorresponding to the parasitic capacitance Cb according to aspecification of the driving chip. For example, if a maximum parasiticcapacitance Cb is about 500 picofarads, and the capacitance value thatis capable be being removed from the signal sensed from the sensor layer200 by the driving chip is about 200 picofarads, a reference value maynot be sufficiently lowered by the driving chip. In this case, a ratioof the amount of change in capacitance compared to the reference valueis insignificant, and thus, a malfunction in which the driving chip doesnot recognize the amount of change in capacitance as noise or does notrecognize the touch coordinates may occur. According to the inventiveconcept, the electrode structure of the sensor layer 200 may be modifiedto provide the maximum value of the parasitic capacitance Cb as a value(e.g., a set or predetermined value) or less. In this case, even whenperformance of the driving chip is relatively low, accuracy of thecoordinate recognition may be improved. The value (e.g., the set orpredetermined value) may be about 200 picofarads, but is notparticularly limited thereto.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sensor layer according to some embodimentsof the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 4, an active area 200A and a peripheral area 200N maybe defined on the sensor layer 200. The active area 200A may be an areathat is activated according to an electrical signal. For example, theactive area 200A may be an area that senses an input. The active area200A may be referred to as a sensing area 200A. The active area 200A mayoverlap an active area 1000A of the electronic device 1000.

The peripheral area 200N may be adjacent to the active area 200A. Theperipheral area 200N may surround the active area 200A.

The sensor layer 200 may include a base insulating layer 201, aplurality of sensing units 210, and a plurality of lines 220. Theplurality of sensing units 210 may be located on the active area 200A.The plurality of lines 220 may be located on the peripheral area 200N.

The sensor layer 200 may operate in a first mode in which information onan external input is acquired through a change in mutual capacitancebetween the electrodes provided in the plurality of sensing units 210 ora second mode in which an input by the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) issensed through a change in capacitance between the electrodes providedin at least one sub sensing units 210A. The first mode and the secondmode will be described later.

The plurality of sensing units 210 may be arranged in the firstdirection DR1 and the second direction DR2. The plurality of lines 220may be electrically connected to at least one sub sensing unit 210A ofeach of the plurality of sensing units 210.

FIG. 5A is a plan view illustrating one of the plurality of sensingunits according to some embodiments of the inventive concept, FIG. 5B isa cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5A according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept, and FIG. 5C is an enlargedplan view of an area AA′ of FIG. 5A according to some embodiments of theinventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, one sensing unit 210 may include at leastone sub sensing unit 210A. FIG. 5A illustrates that one sensing unit 210includes one sub sensing unit 210A. In this case, one sub sensing unit210A may mean one sensing unit 210.

The speed sensing unit 210A may have a first pitch PC. The first pitchPC may be about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm. For example, the first pitch PCmay be about 4 mm.

The sensing unit 210 may include an electrode 211, an cross electrode212, and a plurality of dummy electrodes 213. A portion of the electrode211 may be cross with a portion of the cross electrode 212. The sensorlayer 200 (see FIG. 4) may acquire information on an external inputthrough a change in mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 and thecross electrode 212.

The electrode 211 may have a shape symmetrical with respect to a firstaxis AX1 extending in the first direction DR1 and a second axis AX2extending in the second direction DR2. The electrode 211 may be referredto as a first pattern 211. The electrode 211 may include a first portion211P1, a plurality of second portions 211P2, and a plurality of thirdportions 211P3. The first portion 211P1, the plurality of secondportions 211P2, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 may beprovided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 may be symmetrical to each otherwith respect to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. Theplurality of second portions 211P2 may protrude from the first portion211P1. At least one second portion 211P2 of the plurality of secondportions 211P2 may extend in a first cross direction DRa crossing thefirst direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Another second portionof the plurality of second portions 211P2 may extend in a second crossdirection DRb crossing the first cross direction DRa. The first crossdirection DRa and the second cross direction DRb may be orthogonal toeach other. The second portion 211P2 may surround a second cross portion212P2. The second portion 211P2 may include a first branch portion211BP1, a second branch portion 211BP2, and a third branch portion211BP3. The first branch portion 211BP1, the second branch portion211BP2, and the third branch portion 211BP3 may be provided to beintegrated with each other.

The first branch portion 211BP1 may protrude from the first portion211P1. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 may be adjacent to thefirst portion 211P1, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2. The firstbranch portion 211BP1 may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP 1, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 may be adjacent to the third branch portion211BP3. The second branch portion 211BP2 may extend in the first crossdirection DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The third branch portion 211BP3 may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1. The third branch portion 211BP3 may extend in the first directionDR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 may be symmetrical to each otherwith respect to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. Theplurality of third portions 211P3 may face the plurality of second crossportions 212P2, respectively. The plurality of third portions 211P3 mayprotrude from the first portion 211P1 in the second direction DR2. Theplurality of third portions 211P3 may be spaced apart from the pluralityof second portions 211P2, respectively, with the plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 therebetween.

The cross electrode 212 may include a first cross pattern 212PT1, asecond cross pattern 212PT2, and a bridge pattern 212B.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 may have a shape symmetrical with respectto the second axis AX2. The first cross pattern 212PT1 may include afirst cross portion 212P1 and a plurality of second cross portions212P2. The first cross portion 212P1 and the plurality of second crossportions 212P2 may be provided to be integrated with each other.

The first cross portion 212P1 may extend in the second direction DR2.

The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the second axis AX2. Each of the plurality ofsecond cross portions 212P2 may face the first portion 211P1. Theplurality of second cross portions 212P2 may protrude from the firstcross portion 212P1. One second cross portion of the plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 may extend in the first cross direction DRa.Another second cross portion of the plurality of second cross portions212P2 may extend in the second cross direction DRb. The plurality ofsecond cross portions 212P2 may be located between the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 and the plurality of third portions 211P3,respectively. The second cross portion 212P2 may include a first crossbranch portion 212BP1, a second cross branch portion 212BP2, and a thirdcross branch portion 212BP3. The first cross branch portion 212BP1, thesecond cross branch portion 212BP2, and the third cross branch portion212BP3 may be provided to be integrated with each other.

The first cross branch portion 212BP1 may protrude from the first crossportion 212P1. One end of the first cross branch portion 212BP1 may beadjacent to the first cross portion 212P1, and the other end of thefirst cross branch portion 212BP1 may be adjacent to the second crossbranch portion 212BP2. The first cross branch portion 212BP1 may extendin the first direction DR1.

The second cross branch portion 212BP2 may protrude from the first crossbranch portion 212BP1. One end of the second cross branch portion 212BP2may be adjacent to the first cross branch portion 212BP1, and the otherend of the second cross branch portion 212BP2 may be adjacent to thethird cross branch portion 212BP3. The two cross branch portions 212BP2may extend in the first cross direction DRa or the second crossdirection DRb.

The third cross branch portion 212BP3 may protrude from the second crossbranch portion 212BP2. One end of the third cross branch portion 212BP3may be adjacent to the second cross branch portion 212BP2, and the otherend of the third cross branch portion 212BP3 may be adjacent to thefirst portion 211P1. The third cross branch portion 212BP3 may extend inthe second direction DR2.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 may be spaced apart from the first crosspattern 212PT1 with the first portion 211P1 therebetween. The firstcross pattern 212PT1 and the second cross pattern 212PT2 may besymmetrical to each other with respect to the first axis AX1.

The bridge pattern 212B may electrically connect the first cross pattern212PT1 to the second cross pattern 212PT2. The bridge pattern 212B maybe cross to be insulated from the first portion 211P1.

The bridge pattern 212B may be located on the base insulating layer 201.The sensing insulating layer 203 may be located on the bridge pattern212B. The sensing insulating layer 203 may cover the bridge pattern212B. The sensing insulating layer 203 may include an inorganicmaterial, an organic material, or a composite material.

The first cross pattern 212PT1, the second cross pattern 212PT2, and theelectrode 211 may be located on the sensing insulating layer 203.

A plurality of first contact holes CNT1 may be defined to pass throughthe sensing insulating layer 203 in the third direction DR3. Each of thefirst cross pattern 212PT1 and the second cross pattern 212PT2 may beelectrically connected to the bridge pattern 212B through each of theplurality of first contact holes CNT1.

The cover insulating layer 205 may be located on the first cross pattern212PT1, the second cross pattern 212PT2, and the electrode 211. Thecover insulating layer 205 may cover the first cross pattern 212PT1, thesecond cross pattern 212PT2, and the electrode 211. The cover insulatinglayer 205 may include an inorganic material, an organic material, or acomposite material.

In FIG. 5B, the bridge pattern 212B may have a bottom bridge structurein which the bridge pattern 212B is located under the first crosspattern 212PT1, the second cross pattern 212PT2, and the electrode 211,but the structure of the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) according to someembodiments of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Forexample, the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) according to some embodimentsof the inventive concept may have a top bridge structure in which thebridge pattern 212B is located on the first cross pattern 212PT1, thesecond cross pattern 212PT2, and the electrode 211.

The electrode 211, the cross electrode 212, and the plurality of dummyelectrodes 213 may have a mesh structure. In FIG. 5C, a portion of thesecond cross pattern 212PT2, a portion of the electrode 211, and aportion of the plurality of dummy electrodes 213 are illustrated in FIG.5C as an example. An opening OP defined by the mesh structure mayoverlap the emission area PXA (see FIG. 3).

According to the inventive concept, the plurality of second portions211P2, the plurality of second cross portions 212P2, and the pluralityof third portions 211P3 may be located adjacent to each other. Theplurality of second portions 211P2, the plurality of second crossportions 212P2, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 may have ashape interdigitated with each other. A boundary on which each of theplurality of second portions 211P2, each of the plurality of secondcross portions 212P2, and each of the plurality of third portions 211P3face each other may increase in length. Thus, mutual capacitance betweenthe electrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 may increase. Also, anamount of change in mutual capacitance before and after the input of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may increase. Thus, the sensingsensitivity of the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may be improved.

When viewed on a plane, the outermost portion of an electrode area BD1,which is defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2, theplurality of second cross portions 212P2, and the plurality of thirdportions 211P3 may have an octagonal shape. For example, the outermostportion of an area defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2,which respectively surround the plurality of second cross portions 212P2and the plurality of third portions 211P3, may have an octagonal shape.

When an area on which the electrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 arecross to be insulated from each other has a rectangular shape byportions respectively extending in the first direction DR1 and thesecond direction DR2, an interval between the electrode 211 and thecross electrode 212 may increase on an area on which the directions ofthe extending portions are changed from the first direction DR1 to thesecond direction DR2, and thus, a deviation of the interval between theelectrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 may increase. However,according to the inventive concept, the electrode area BD1 on which theelectrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 are cross to be insulated fromeach other may have an octagonal shape by portions respectivelyextending in the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, thefirst cross direction DRa, and the second cross direction DRb. Thedeviation of the interval between the electrode 211 and the crosselectrode 212 may be reduced. Therefore, a deviation in amount of changein the mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 and the crosselectrode 212 before and after the input of the user's body 3000 (seeFIG. 2) according to the position of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2)may be reduced. Thus, accuracy of coordinates of the input of the user'sbody 3000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensor layer 200(see FIG. 4), may be improved. Also, sensing reliability of the sensorlayer 200 (see FIG. 4) may be improved.

Also, according to the inventive concept, a deviation of the intervalbetween the electrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 may be reduced. Adeviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitance between each ofthe electrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 and the input device 2000(see FIG. 2) before and after the sensing of the input device 2000 (seeFIG. 2) according to the position of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2)may be reduced. Thus, the accuracy of the sensing coordinates of theinput device 2000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensorlayer 200 (see FIG. 4), may be improved. Also, the sensing reliabilityof the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may be improved.

That is, amounts of change in capacitance, which are measured within onesensing unit 210 in the input provided in the form of a line, such aswhen writing a letter or drawing a picture using the input device 2000(see FIG. 2) may be prevented from being different from each other, andthus, lineartity of the input may be improved, and the sensingreliability of the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may be improved.

The plurality of dummy electrodes 213 may surround the electrode 211 andthe cross electrode 212, respectively. As the plurality of dummyelectrodes 213 are arranged, a difference in transmittance orreflectance between portions, on which the electrode 211 or the crosselectrode 212 is not located, may be reduced. As a result, a phenomenonin which a specific boundary, for example, a boundary between theelectrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 or a boundary between theportions on which the electrode 211 and the cross electrode 212 are notlocated, is visually recognized may be prevented.

The plurality of dummy electrodes 213 may be in a floating state. Theplurality of dummy electrodes 213 are floated to reduce parasiticcapacitance Cb (see FIG. 3) generated between the sensor layer 200 (seeFIG. 3) and the second electrode CE (see FIG. 3). According to someembodiments of the inventive concept, the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 3)may provide the maximum value of the parasitic capacitance Cb (see FIG.3) as the value (e.g., the set or predetermined value) or less. Theratio of the amount of change in capacitance to the reference value mayincrease. Thus, the sensing sensitivity of the sensor layer 200 (seeFIG. 3) with respect to the amount of change in capacitance may beimproved.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are plan views illustrating one of the plurality of sensingunits according to some embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 6, one sensing unit 210 a may include one sub sensingunit 210Aa. However, this is merely an example. For example, the numberof sub sensing units 210Aa provided in one sensing unit 210 a accordingto some embodiments of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Forexample, one sensing unit 210 a may include a plurality of sub sensingunits 210Aa.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the electrodemay be referred to as an cross electrode, and similarly, the crosselectrode may be referred to as an electrode.

The electrode 211 a may include a first electrode pattern 211PT1 a, asecond electrode pattern 211PT2 a, and a bridge pattern 211Ba.

The first electrode pattern 211PT1 a may have a shape symmetrical withrespect to the first axis AX1. The first electrode pattern 211PT1 a mayinclude a first portion 211P1 a, a plurality of second portions 211P2 a,and a plurality of third portions 211P3 a. The first portion 211Pa, theplurality of second portions 211P2 a, and the plurality of thirdportions 211P3 a may be provided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 a may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 a may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the first axis AX1. Each of the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 a may face the first cross portion 212P1 a. Theplurality of second portions 211P2 a may protrude from the first portion211P1 a. One second portion of the plurality of second portions 211P2 amay extend in the first cross direction DRa. Another second portion ofthe plurality of second portions 211P2 a may extend in the second crossdirection DRb. The second portion 211P2 a may surround the second crossportion 212P2 a. The second portion 211P2 a may include a first branchportion 211BP1 a, a second branch portion 211BP2 a, and a third branchportion 211BP3 a. The first branch portion 211BP1 a, the second branchportion 211BP2 a, and the third branch portion 211BP3 a may be providedto be integrated with each other.

The first branch portion 211BP1 a may protrude from the first portion211P1 a. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 a may be adjacent tothe first portion 211P1 a, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 a may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 a. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 a may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 a may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1 a. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 a may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP1 a, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 a may be adjacent to the third branchportion 211BP3 a. The second branch portion 211BP2 a may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The third branch portion 211BP3 a may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2 a. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 a may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 a, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 a may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 a. The third branch portion 211BP3 a may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 a may be symmetrical with respectto the first axis AX1. The plurality of third portions 211P3 a may facethe plurality of second cross portions 212P2 a, respectively. Theplurality of third portions 211P3 a may protrude from the first portion211P1 a in the second direction DR2. The plurality of third portions211P3 a may be spaced apart from the plurality of second portions 211P2a, respectively, with the plurality of second cross portions 212P2 atherebetween.

The second electrode pattern 211PT2 a may be spaced apart from the firstelectrode pattern 211PT1 a with the first cross portion 212P1 atherebetween. The first electrode pattern 211PT1 a and the secondelectrode pattern 211PT2 a may be symmetrical to each other with respectto the second axis AX2.

The bridge pattern 211Ba may electrically connect the first electrodepattern 211PT1 a to the second electrode pattern 211PT2 a. The bridgepattern 211Ba may be span across the second axis AX2 and the first crossportion 212P1 a while remaining insulated from the first cross portion212P1 a.

The cross electrode 212 a may have a shape symmetrical with respect tothe first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. The cross electrode 212 amay include a first cross portion 212P1 a and a plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 a. The first cross portion 212P1 a and theplurality of second cross portions 212P2 a may be provided to beintegrated with each other.

The first cross portion 212P1 a may extend in the second direction DR2.

The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 a may be symmetrical toeach other with respect to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2.The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 a may protrude from thefirst cross portion 212P1 a. At least one second cross portion of theplurality of second cross portions 212P2 a may extend in the first crossdirection DRa. Another second cross portion of the plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 a may extend in the second cross direction DRb. Thesecond cross portion 212P2 a may be located between the second portion211P2 a and the third portion 211P3 a. Each of the plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 a may include a first cross branch portion 212BP1a, a second cross branch portion 212BP2 a, and a third cross branchportion 212BP3 a. The first cross branch portion 212BP1 a, the secondcross branch portion 212BP2 a, and the third cross branch portion 212BP3a may be provided to be integrated with each other.

The first cross branch portion 212BP1 a may protrude from the firstcross portion 212P1 a. One end of the first cross branch portion 212BP1a may be adjacent to the first cross portion 212P1 a, and the other endof the first cross branch portion 212BP1 a may be adjacent to the secondcross branch portion 212BP2 a. The first cross branch portion 212BP1 amay extend in the first direction DR1.

The second cross branch portion 212BP2 a may protrude from the firstcross branch portion 212BP1 a. One end of the second cross branchportion 212BP2 a may be adjacent to the first cross branch portion212BP1 a, and the other end of the second cross branch portion 212BP2 amay be adjacent to the third cross branch portion 212BP3 a. The secondcross branch portion 212BP2 a may extend in the first cross directionDRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The third cross branch portion 212BP3 a may protrude from the secondcross branch portion 212BP2 a. One end of the third cross branch portion212BP3 a may be adjacent to the second cross branch portion 212BP2 a,and the other end of the third cross branch portion 212BP3 a may beadjacent to the first portion 211P1 a. The third cross branch portion212BP3 a may extend in the second direction DR2.

The electrode 211 a, the cross electrode 212 a, and the plurality ofdummy electrodes 213 may have a mesh structure.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 a, the plurality of second cross portions 212P2 a,and the plurality of third portions 211P3 a may be located adjacent toeach other. The plurality of second portions 211P2 a, the plurality ofsecond cross portions 212P2 a, and the plurality of third portions 211P3a may have a shape interdigitated with each other. A boundary betweeneach of the plurality of second portions 211P2 a, each of the pluralityof second cross portions 212P2 a, and each of the plurality of thirdportions 211P3 a may increase in length. Thus, the mutual capacitancebetween the electrode 211 a and the cross electrode 212 a may increase.Also, an amount of change in mutual capacitance before and after theinput of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may increase. Thus, thesensing sensitivity of the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may beimproved.

When viewed on the plane, the outermost portion of the electrode areaBD2, which is defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2 a, theplurality of second cross portions 212P2 a, and the plurality of thirdportions 211P3 a, may have an octagonal shape.

FIGS. 7 to 8 are plan views illustrating one of the plurality of sensingunits according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. Indescription of FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are used for thecomponents described in FIG. 5A, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, one sensing unit 210 may include a plurality of subsensing units 210Ab. The plurality of sub sensing units 210Ab may bearranged in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Forexample, nine sub sensing units 210Ab may be provided.

Each of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Ab may have the same shapeas the sub sensing unit 210A (see FIG. 5A) of FIG. 5A.

Each of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Ab may have a second pitchPCb. The second pitch PCb of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Abmay be less than the first width WE (see FIG. 2) of the input area ofthe pen electrode 2600 of the input device 2000. The second pitch PCbmay be about 1.0 mm to about 2.0 mm. For example, the second pitch PCbmay be about 1.5 mm. A surface area of the input area of the inputdevice 2000 may be less than that of each of the plurality of subsensing units 210Ab.

The pen electrode 2600 may include a first pen electrode 2610 and asecond pen electrode 2620. The first pen electrode 2610 may be locatedat one end of the input device 2000. The second pen electrode 2620 maybe located on a side surface of the input device 2000. The sensor layer200 (see FIG. 4) may acquire coordinates of the input device 2000through the first pen electrode 2610 and acquire an inclination of theinput device 2000 through the second pen electrode 2620.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, when the inputdevice 2000 is sensed, the input area of the input device 2000overlapping the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may cover an area of thesub sensing unit 210Ab. A difference between first capacitance CAP1 asensed by the first pen electrode 2610 when the input device 2000 islocated at a first position within one sensing unit 210 and secondcapacitance CAP1 b sensed by the first pen electrode 2610 when the inputdevice 2000 is located at a second position within one sensing unit 210may be reduced. That is, a deviation in capacitance between the inputdevice 2000 and the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) according to thepositions of the input device 2000 within one sensing unit 210 may bereduced. Thus, coordinate accuracy and sensing reliability of the sensorlayer 200 (see FIG. 4) for the input device 2000 may be improved.

Also, according to some embodiments of the inventive concept, adifference between first capacitance CAP2 a sensed by the second penelectrode 2620 when the input device 2000 is located at the firstposition within one sensing unit 210 and second capacitance CAP2 bsensed by the second pen electrode 2620 when the input device 2000 islocated at the second position within one sensing unit 210 may bereduced. That is, a deviation in capacitance between the input device2000 and the sensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) according to the positions ofthe input device 2000 within one sensing unit 210 may be reduced. Thus,inclination accuracy and sensing reliability of the sensor layer 200(see FIG. 4) for the input device 2000 may be improved.

FIGS. 8 to 8 are plan views illustrating one of the plurality of sensingunits according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. Indescription of FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are used for thecomponents described in FIG. 5A, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, one sensing unit 210 may include a plurality of subsensing units 210Ac. The plurality of sub sensing units 210Ac may bearranged in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. Forexample, 25 sub sensing units 210Ac may be provided. However, this ismerely an example. For example, the number of the plurality of subsensing units 210Ac according to some embodiments of the inventiveconcept is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the pluralityof sub sensing units 210Ac may be provided as 16 or 4 units.

Each of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Ac may have the same shapeas the sub sensing unit 210A (see FIG. 5A) of FIG. 5A. Each of theplurality of sub sensing units 210Ac may have a third pitch PCc. Thethird pitch PCc of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Ac may be lessthan the first width WD (see FIG. 2) of the input area of the penelectrode 2600 (see FIG. 2) of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2). Thethird pitch PCc may be less than the second pitch PCb (see FIG. 7).

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the surface areaof the input area of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may be less thanthat of each of the plurality of sub sensing units 210Ac. Thus, thesensor layer 200 (see FIG. 4) may accurately sense the coordinatesinputted by the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sub sensing unit according to someembodiments of the inventive concept. In description in FIG. 9, the samereference numerals are used for components described in FIG. 5A, anddescriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, the plurality of sensing units 210 mayinclude at least one sub sensing unit 210Ad. The at least one subsensing unit 210Ad may include an electrode 211 d, an cross electrode212 d, and a plurality of dummy electrodes 213. A portion of theelectrode 211 d may be cross with a portion of the cross electrode 212d. The sensor layer 200 may acquire information on an external inputthrough a change in mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 d andthe cross electrode 212 d.

The electrode 211 d may have a shape symmetrical with respect to thesecond axis AX2. The electrode 211 d may include a first portion 211P1d, a plurality of second portions 211P2 d, and a plurality of thirdportions 211P3 d. The first portion 211P1 d, the plurality of secondportions 211P2 d, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 d may beprovided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 d may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 d may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the second axis AX2. The plurality of secondportions 211P2 d may be adjacent to the plurality of second crossportions 212P2 d. The plurality of second portions 211P2 d may protrudefrom the first portion 211P1 d. Each of the plurality of second portions211P2 d may include a first branch portion 211BP1 d, a second branchportion 211BP2 d, and a third branch portion 211BP3 d. The first branchportion 211BP1 d, the second branch portion 211BP2 d, and the thirdbranch portion 211BP3 d may be provided to be integrated with eachother.

The first branch portion 211BP1 d may protrude from the first portion211P1 d. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 d may be adjacent tothe first portion 211P1 d, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 d may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 d. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 d may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 d may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1 d. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 d may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP1 d, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 d may be adjacent to the third branchportion 211BP3 d. The second branch portion 211BP2 d may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The third branch portion 211BP3 d may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2 d. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 d may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 d, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 d may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 d. The third branch portion 211BP3 d may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 d may be spaced apart from theplurality of second portions 211P2 d, respectively, with the firstportion 211P1 d therebetween. The plurality of third portions 211P3 dmay respectively surround the plurality of fourth cross portions 212P4d. The plurality of third portions 211P3 d may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the second axis AX2. The plurality of thirdportions 211P3 d may be adjacent to the plurality of fourth crossportions 212P4 d. The plurality of third portions 211P3 d may protrudefrom the first portion 211P1 d. Each of the plurality of third portions211P3 d may include a fourth branch portion 211BP4 d, a fifth branchportion 211BP5 d, and a sixth branch portion 211BP6 d. The fourth branchportion 211BP4 d, the fifth branch portion 211BP5 d, and the sixthbranch portion 211BP6 d may be provided to be integrated with eachother.

The fourth branch portion 211BP4 d may protrude from the first portion211P1 d. One end of the fourth branch portion 211BP4 d may be adjacentto the first portion 211P1 d, and the other end of the fourth branchportion 211BP4 d may be adjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 d.The fourth branch portion 211BP4 d may extend in the second directionDR2.

The fifth branch portion 211BP5 d may protrude from the fourth branchportion 211BP4 d. One end of the fifth branch portion 211BP5 d may beadjacent to the fourth branch portion 211BP4 d, and the other end of thefifth branch portion 211BP5 d may be adjacent to the sixth branchportion 211BP6 d. The fifth branch portion 211BP5 d may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The sixth branch portion 211BP6 d may protrude from the fifth branchportion 211BP5 d. One end of the sixth branch portion 211BP6 d may beadjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 d, and the other end of thesixth branch portion 211BP6 d may be adjacent to the third cross portion212P3 d. The sixth branch portion 211BP6 d may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The cross electrode 212 d may include a first cross pattern 212PT1 d, asecond cross pattern 212PT2 d, and a bridge pattern 212Bd.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 d may have a shape symmetrical withrespect to the second axis AX2. The first cross pattern 212PT1 d mayinclude a first cross portion 212P1 d and a plurality of second crossportions 212P2 d. The first cross portion 212P1 d and the plurality ofsecond cross portions 212P2 d may be provided to be integrated with eachother.

The first cross portion 212P1 d may extend in the second direction DR2.

The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 d may be symmetrical toeach other with respect to the second axis AX2. The plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 d may face the first portion 211P1 d. The pluralityof second cross portions 212P2 d may protrude from the first crossportion 212P1 d. The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 d maysurround the plurality of second portions 211P2 d. One of the pluralityof second cross portions 212P2 d may extend in the first cross directionDRa. Another second cross portion of the plurality of second crossportions 212P2 d may extend in the second cross direction DRb.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 d may be spaced apart from the firstcross pattern 212PT1 d with the first portion 211P1 d therebetween. Thesecond cross pattern 212PT2 d may have a shape symmetrical with respectto the second axis AX2. The second cross pattern 212PT2 d may include athird cross portion 212P3 d and a plurality of fourth cross portions212P4 d. The third cross portion 212P3 d and the plurality of fourthcross portions 212P4 d may be provided to be integrated with each other.

The third cross portion 212P3 d may extend in the second direction DR2.

The plurality of fourth cross portions 212P4 d may be symmetrical withrespect to the second axis AX2. The plurality of fourth cross portions212P4 d may face the first portion 211P1 d. The plurality of fourthcross portions 212P4 d may protrude from the third cross portion 212P3d. The plurality of fourth cross portions 212P4 d may be adjacent to theplurality of third portions 211P3 d, respectively. One of the pluralityof fourth cross portions 212P4 d may extend in the first cross directionDRa. Another fourth cross portion of the plurality of fourth crossportions 212P4 d may extend in the second cross direction DRb.

The bridge pattern 212Bd may electrically connect the first crosspattern 212PT1 d to the second cross pattern 212PT2 d. The bridgepattern 212Bd may span across the first portion 211P1 d in a plan viewwhile remaining insulated from the first portion 211P1 d.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 d, the plurality of second cross portions 212P2 d,the plurality of third portions 211P3 d, and the plurality of fourthcross portions 212P4 d may be located adjacent to each other. Theplurality of second portions 211P2 d, the plurality of second crossportions 212P2 d, the plurality of third portions 211P3 d, and theplurality of fourth cross portions 212P4 d may have a shapeinterdigitated with each other. A boundary on which the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 d, the plurality of second cross portions 212P2 d,the plurality of third portions 211P3 d, and the plurality of fourthcross portions 212P4 d face each other may increase in length. Thus,mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 d and the cross electrode212 d may increase. Also, an amount of change in mutual capacitancebefore and after the input of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) mayincrease. Thus, the sensing sensitivity of the sensor layer 200 may beimproved.

When viewed on the plane, the outermost portion of an electrode area BD3defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2 d, the plurality ofsecond cross portions 212P2 d, the plurality of third portions 211P3 d,and the plurality of fourth cross portions 212P4 d define may have anoctagonal shape. For example, the outermost portion of an area definedby the plurality of second cross portions 212P2 d and the plurality ofthird portions 211P3 d may have an octagonal shape.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an area on whichthe electrode 211 d and the cross electrode 212 d cross or intersecteach other while being insulated from each other may have an octagonalshape by the portions respectively extending in the first direction DR1,the second direction DR2, the first cross direction DRa, and the secondcross direction DRb. A deviation in the interval between the electrode211 d and the cross electrode 212 d may be reduced. Therefore, adeviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitance between theelectrode 211 d and the cross electrode 212 d before and after the inputof the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) according to the position of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may be reduced. Also, a deviation inamount of change in the mutual capacitance between each of the electrode211 d and the cross electrode 212 d and the input device 2000 (see FIG.2) before and after the sensing of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2)according to the position of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may bereduced. Thus, accuracy of each of the coordinates of the user's body3000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensor layer 200, andthe coordinates of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may be improved,and sensing reliability of the sensor layer 200 may be improved.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the sub sensing unit according to someembodiments of the inventive concept. In description of FIG. 10, thesame reference numerals are used for the components described in FIG.5A, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, the plurality of sensing units 210 mayinclude at least one sub sensing unit 210Ae. At least one sub sensingunit 210Ae may include an electrode 211 e, an cross electrode 212 e, anda plurality of dummy electrodes 213. A portion of the electrode 211 emay be cross with a portion of the cross electrode 212 e. The sensorlayer 200 may acquire information on an external input through a changein mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 e and the crosselectrode 212 e.

The electrode 211 e may have a shape symmetrical with respect to a firstpoint PT1 at which the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2 cross eachother. The electrode 211 e may include a first portion 211P1 e, aplurality of second portions 211P2 e, and a plurality of third portions211P3 e. The first portion 211P1 e, the plurality of second portions211P2 e, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 e may be provided tobe integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 d may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 e may be point symmetrical withrespect to the first point PT1. The plurality of second portions 211P2 emay protrude from the first portion 211P1 e. Each of the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 e may include a first branch portion 211BP1 e, asecond branch portion 211BP2 e, and a third branch portion 211BP3 e. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 e, the second branch portion 211BP2 e, andthe third branch portion 211BP3 e may be provided to be integrated witheach other.

The first branch portion 211BP1 e may protrude from the first portion211P1 e. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 e may be adjacent tothe first portion 211P1 e, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 e may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 e. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 e may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 e may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1 e. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 e may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP1 e, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 e may be adjacent to the third branchportion 211BP3 e. The second branch portion 211BP2 e may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa.

The third branch portion 211BP3 e may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2 e. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 e may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 e, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 e may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 e. The third branch portion 211BP3 e may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 e may be spaced apart from theplurality of second portions 211P2 e, respectively, with the firstportion 211P1 e therebetween. The plurality of third portions 211P3 emay surround the third cross portion 212P3 e and the fifth cross portion212P5 e, respectively. The plurality of third portions 211P3 e may bepoint symmetrical with respect to the first point PT1. The plurality ofthird portions 211P3 e may protrude from the first portion 211P1 e. Eachof the plurality of third portions 211P3 e may include a fourth branchportion 211BP4 e, a fifth branch portion 211BP5 e, and a sixth branchportion 211BP6 e. The fourth branch portion 211BP4 e, the fifth branchportion 211BP5 e, and the sixth branch portion 211BP6 e may be providedto be integrated with each other.

The fourth branch portion 211BP4 e may protrude from the first portion211P1 e. One end of the fourth branch portion 211BP4 e may be adjacentto the first portion 211P1 e, and the other end of the fourth branchportion 211BP4 e may be adjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 e.The fourth branch portion 211BP4 e may extend in the second directionDR2.

The fifth branch portion 211BP5 e may protrude from the fourth branchportion 211BP4 e. One end of the fifth branch portion 211BP5 e may beadjacent to the fourth branch portion 211BP4 e, and the other end of thefifth branch portion 211BP5 e may be adjacent to the sixth branchportion 211BP6 e. The fifth branch portion 211BP5 e may extend in thesecond cross direction DRb.

The sixth branch portion 211BP6 e may protrude from the fifth branchportion 211BP5 e. One end of the sixth branch portion 211BP6 e may beadjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 e. The other end of thesixth branch portion 211BP6 e may be adjacent to the fourth crossportion 212P4 e. The sixth branch portion 211BP6 e may extend in thefirst direction DR1.

The cross electrode 212 e may include a first cross pattern 212PT1 e, asecond cross pattern 212PT2 e, and a bridge pattern 212Be.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 e may include a first cross portion 212P1e, a second cross portion 212P2 e, and a third cross portion 212P3 e.The first cross portion 212P1 e, the second cross portion 212P2 e, andthe third cross portion 212P3 e may be provided to be integrated witheach other.

The first cross portion 212P1 e may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second cross portion 212P2 e may face the first portion 211P1 e. Thesecond cross portion 212P2 e may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 e. The second cross portion 212P2 e may surround one of theplurality of second portions 211P2 e. The second cross portion 212P2 emay extend in the first cross direction DRa.

The third cross portion 212P3 e may be spaced apart from the secondcross portion 212P2 e with the first cross portion 212P1 e therebetween.The third cross portion 212P3 e may face the first portion 211P1 e. Thethird cross portion 212P3 e may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 e. The third cross portion 212P3 e may extend in the second crossdirection DRb.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 e may be spaced apart from the firstcross pattern 212PT1 e with the first portion 211P1 e therebetween. Thefirst cross pattern 212PT1 e and the second cross pattern 212PT2 e mayhave a shape symmetrical to each other with respect to the first pointPT1. The second cross pattern 212PT2 e may include a fourth crossportion 212P4 e, a fifth cross portion 212P5 e, and a sixth crossportion 212P6 e. The fourth cross portion 212P4 e, the fifth crossportion 212P5 e, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 e may be provided tobe integrated with each other.

The fourth cross portion 212P4 e may extend in the second direction DR2.

The fifth cross portion 212P5 e may face the first portion 211P1 e. Thefifth cross portion 212P5 e may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 e. The fifth cross portion 212P5 e may extend in the second crossdirection DRb.

The sixth cross portion 212P6 e may be spaced apart from the fifth crossportion 212P5 e with the fourth cross portion 212P4 e therebetween. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 e may face the first portion 211P1 e. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 e may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 e. The sixth cross portion 212P6 e may surround the other one ofthe plurality of second portions 211P2 e. The sixth cross portion 212P6e may extend in the first cross direction DRa.

The bridge pattern 212Be may electrically connect the first crosspattern 212PT1 e to the second cross pattern 212PT2 e. The bridgepattern 212Bd may span across or intersect the first portion 211P1 e ina plan view, while being insulated from the first portion 211P1 e.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 e, the plurality of third portions 211P3 e, thesecond cross portion 212P2 e, the third cross portion 212P3 e, thefourth cross portion 212P4 e, and the fifth cross portions 212P5 e maybe located adjacent to each other. The plurality of second portions211P2 e, the plurality of third portions 211P3 e, the second crossportion 212P2 e, the third cross portion 212P3 e, the fourth crossportion 212P4 e, and the fifth cross portion 212P5 e may have a shapeinterdigitated with each other. A boundary on which each of theplurality of second portions 211P2 e, each of the plurality of thirdportions 211P3 e, the second cross portion 212P2 e, the third crossportion 212P3 e, the fourth cross portion 212P4 e, and the fifth crossportion 212P5 e face each other may increase in length. Thus, mutualcapacitance between the electrode 211 e and the cross electrode 212 emay increase. Also, an amount of change in mutual capacitance before andafter the input of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may increase. Thus,the sensing sensitivity of the sensor layer 200 may be improved.

When viewed on the plane, the outer portion of the electrode area BD4,which is defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2 e, theplurality of third portions 211P3 e, the second cross portion 212P2 e,the third cross portion 212P3 e, the fourth cross portion 212P4 e, andthe fifth cross portion 212P5 e may have an octagonal shape. Forexample, the outermost portion of an area defined by the plurality ofthird portions 211P3 e, the second cross portion 212P2 e, and the sixthcross portion 212P6 e may have an octagonal shape.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an area at whichthe electrode 211 e and the cross electrode 212 e cross or intersectwhile remaining insulated from each other may have an octagonal shape bythe portions respectively extending in the first direction DR1, thesecond direction DR2, the first cross direction DRa, and the secondcross direction DRb. A deviation in the interval between the electrode211 e and the cross electrode 212 e may be reduced. Therefore, adeviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitance between theelectrode 211 e and the cross electrode 212 e before and after the inputof the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) according to the position of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may be reduced. Also, a deviation inamount of change in the mutual capacitance between each of the electrode211 e and the cross electrode 212 e and the input device 2000 (see FIG.2) before and after the sensing of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2)according to the position of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may bereduced. Thus, accuracy of each of the coordinates of the user's body3000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensor layer 200, andthe coordinates of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may be improved,and sensing reliability of the sensor layer 200 may be improved.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sub sensing unit according to someembodiments of the inventive concept. In description of FIG. 11, thesame reference numerals are used for the components described in FIG.5A, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, the plurality of sensing units 210 mayinclude at least one sub sensing unit 210Af. At least one sub sensingunit 210Af may include an electrode 211 f, an cross electrode 212 f, anda plurality of dummy electrodes 213. The sensor layer 200 may acquireinformation on an external input through a change in mutual capacitancebetween the electrode 211 f and the cross electrode 212 f.

The electrode 211 f may have a shape symmetrical with respect to thefirst axis AX1. The electrode 211 f may include a first portion 211P1 f,a plurality of second portions 211P2 f, and a plurality of thirdportions 211P3 f. The first portion 211P1 f, the plurality of secondportions 211P2 f, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 f may beprovided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 f may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 f may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the first axis AX1. The plurality of secondportions 211P2 f may protrude from the first portion 211P1 f. Theplurality of second portions 211P2 f may surround the second crossportion 212P2 f and the fifth cross portion 212P5 f, respectively. Onesecond portion of the plurality of second portions 211P2 f may extend inthe first cross direction DRa. Another second portion of the pluralityof second portions 211P2 f may extend in the second cross direction DRb.The second portion 211P2 f may include a first branch portion 211BP1 f,a second branch portion 211BP2 f, and a third branch portion 211BP3 f.The first branch portion 211BP1 f, the second branch portion 211BP2 f,and the third branch portion 211BP3 f may be provided to be integratedwith each other.

The first branch portion 211BP1 f may protrude from the first portion211P1 f. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 f may be adjacent tothe first portion 211P1 f, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 f may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 f. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 f may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 f may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1 f. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 f may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP1 f, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 f may be adjacent to the third branchportion 211BP3 f. The second branch portion 211BP2 f may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The third branch portion 211BP3 f may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2 f. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 f may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 f, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 f may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 f. The third branch portion 211BP3 f may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 f may be spaced apart from theplurality of second portions 211P2 f, respectively, with the first crossportion 212P1 f and the fourth cross portion 212P4 f therebetween. Theplurality of third portions 211P3 f may be symmetrical with respect tothe first axis AX1. The plurality of third portions 211P3 f may protrudefrom the first portion 211P1 f. Each of the plurality of third portions211P3 f may include a fourth branch portion 211BP4 f, a fifth branchportion 211BP5 f, and a sixth branch portion 211 BP6 f. The fourthbranch portion 211BP4 f, the fifth branch portion 211BP5 f, and thesixth branch portion 211BP6 f may be provided to be integrated with eachother.

The fourth branch portion 211BP4 f may protrude from the first portion211P1 f. One end of the fourth branch portion 211BP4 f may be adjacentto the first portion 211P1 f, and the other end of the fourth branchportion 211BP4 f may be adjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 f.The fourth branch portion 211BP4 f may extend in the second directionDR2.

The fifth branch portion 211BP5 f may protrude from the fourth branchportion 211BP4 f. One end of the fifth branch portion 211BP5 f may beadjacent to the fourth branch portion 211BP4 f, and the other end of thefifth branch portion 211BP5 f may be adjacent to the sixth branchportion 211BP6 f. The fifth branch portion 211BP5 f may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa or the second cross direction DRb.

The sixth branch portion 211BP6 f may protrude from the fifth branchportion 211BP5 f. One end of the sixth branch portion 211BP6 f may beadjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 f, and the other end of thesixth branch portion 211BP6 f may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 f. The sixth branch portion 211BP6 f may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The cross electrode 212 f may include a first cross pattern 212PT1 f, asecond cross pattern 212PT2 f, and a bridge pattern 212Bf.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 f may include a first cross portion 212P1f, a second cross portion 212P2 f, and a third cross portion 212P3 f.The first cross portion 212P1 f, the second cross portion 212P2 f, andthe third cross portion 212P3 f may be provided to be integrated witheach other.

The first cross portion 212P1 f may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second cross portion 212P2 f may face the first portion 211P1 f. Thesecond cross portion 212P2 f may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 f. The second cross portion 212P2 f may extend in the first crossdirection DRa.

The third cross portion 212P3 f may be spaced apart from the secondcross portion 212P2 f with the first cross portion 212P1 f therebetween.The third cross portion 212P3 f may face the first portion 211P1 f. Thethird cross portion 212P3 f may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 f. The third cross portion 212P3 f may surround one of theplurality of third portions 211P3 f. The third cross portion 212P3 f mayextend in the second cross direction DRb.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 f may be spaced apart from the firstcross pattern 212PT1 f with the first portion 211P1 f therebetween. Thefirst cross pattern 212PT1 f and the second cross pattern 212PT2 f mayhave a shape symmetrical to each other with respect to the first axisAX1. The second intersection pattern 212PT2 f may include a fourth crossportion 212P4 f, a fifth cross portion 212P5 f, and a sixth crossportion 212P6 f. The fourth cross portion 212P4 f, the fifth crossportion 212P5 f, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 f may be provided tobe integrated with each other.

The fourth cross portion 212P4 f may extend in the second direction DR2.

The fifth cross portion 212P5 f may face the first portion 211P1 f. Thefifth cross portion 212P5 f may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 f. The fifth cross portion 212P5 f may extend in the second crossdirection DRb.

The sixth cross portion 212P6 f may be spaced apart from the fifth crossportion 212P5 f with the fourth cross portion 212P4 f therebetween. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 f may face the first portion 211P1 f. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 f may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 f. The sixth cross portion 212P6 f may surround another one of theplurality of third portions 211P3 f. The sixth cross portion 212P6 f mayextend in the first cross direction DRa.

The bridge pattern 212Bf may electrically connect the first crosspattern 212PT1 f to the second cross pattern 212PT2 f. The bridgepattern 212Bf may span across or intersect the first portion 211P1 ffrom a plan view while remaining insulated from the first portion 211P1f.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 f, the plurality of third portions 211P3 f, thesecond cross portion 212P2 f, the third cross portion 212P3 f, the fifthcross portion 212P5 f, and the sixth cross portions 212P6 f may belocated adjacent to each other. The plurality of second portions 211P2f, the plurality of third portions 211P3 f, the second cross portion212P2 f, the third cross portion 212P3 f, the fifth cross portion 212P5f, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 f may have a shape interdigitatedwith each other. A boundary on which each of the plurality of secondportions 211P2 f, each of the plurality of third portions 211P3 f, thesecond cross portion 212P2 f, the third cross portion 212P3 f, the fifthcross portion 212P5 f, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 f face eachother may increase in length.

Accordingly, mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 f and thecross electrode 212 f may increase. Also, an amount of change in mutualcapacitance before and after the input of the user's body 3000 (see FIG.2) may increase. Thus, the sensing sensitivity of the sensor layer 200may be improved.

When viewed on the plane, the outer portion of the electrode area BD5,which is defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2 f, theplurality of third portions 211P3 f, the second cross portion 212P2 f,the third cross portion 212P3 f, the fifth cross portion 212P5 f, andthe sixth cross portion 212P6 f may have an octagonal shape. Forexample, the outermost portion of an area defined by the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 f, the third cross portion 212P3 f, and the sixthcross portion 212P6 f may have an octagonal shape.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an area on whichthe electrode 211 f and the cross electrode 212 f cross or intersectwhile remaining insulated from each other may have an octagonal shape bythe portions respectively extending in the first direction DR1, thesecond direction DR2, the first cross direction DRa, and the secondcross direction DRb. A deviation in the interval between the electrode211 f and the cross electrode 212 f may be reduced. Therefore, adeviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitance between theelectrode 211 f and the cross electrode 212 f before and after the inputof the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) according to the position of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may be reduced. Also, a deviation inamount of change in the mutual capacitance between each of the electrode211 f and the cross electrode 212 f and the input device 2000 (see FIG.2) before and after the sensing of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2)according to the position of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may bereduced. Thus, accuracy of each of the coordinates of the user's body3000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensor layer 200, andthe coordinates of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may be improved,and sensing reliability of the sensor layer 200 may be improved.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the sub sensing unit according to someembodiments of the inventive concept. In description in FIG. 12, thesame reference numerals are used for components described in FIG. 5A,and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 12, the plurality of sensing units 210 mayinclude at least one sub sensing unit 210Ag. At least one sub sensingunit 210Ag may include an electrode 211 g, an cross electrode 212 g, anda plurality of dummy electrodes 213. The sensor layer 200 may acquireinformation on an external input through a change in mutual capacitancebetween the electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g.

The electrode 211 g may have a shape symmetrical with respect to thefirst point PT1. The electrode 211 g may include a first portion 211P1g, a plurality of second portions 211P2 g, and a plurality of thirdportions 211P3 g. The first portion 211P1 g, the plurality of secondportions 211P2 g, and the plurality of third portions 211P3 g may beprovided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 g may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 g may be point symmetrical withrespect to the first point PT1. The plurality of second portions 211P2 gmay protrude from the first portion 211P1 g. The plurality of secondportions 211P2 g may surround the second cross portion 212P2 g and thesixth cross portion 212P6 g, respectively. Each of the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 g may include a first branch portion 211BP1 g, asecond branch portion 211BP2 g, and a third branch portion 211BP3 g. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 g, the second branch portion 211BP2 g, andthe third branch portion 211BP3 g may be provided to be integrated witheach other.

The first branch portion 211BP1 g may protrude from the first portion211P1 g. One end of the first branch portion 211BP1 g may be adjacent tothe first portion 211P1 g, and the other end of the first branch portion211BP1 g may be adjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 g. Thefirst branch portion 211BP1 g may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second branch portion 211BP2 g may protrude from the first branchportion 211BP1 g. One end of the second branch portion 211BP2 g may beadjacent to the first branch portion 211BP1 g, and the other end of thesecond branch portion 211BP2 g may be adjacent to the third branchportion 211BP3 g. The second branch portion 211BP2 g may extend in thefirst cross direction DRa.

The third branch portion 211BP3 g may protrude from the second branchportion 211BP2 g. One end of the third branch portion 211BP3 g may beadjacent to the second branch portion 211BP2 g, and the other end of thethird branch portion 211BP3 g may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 g. The third branch portion 211BP3 g may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The plurality of third portions 211P3 g may be spaced apart from theplurality of second portions 211P2 g, respectively, with the first crossportion 212P1 g and the fourth cross portion 212P4 g therebetween. Theplurality of third portions 211P3 g may be point symmetrical withrespect to the first point PT1. The plurality of third portions 211P3 gmay protrude from the first portion 211P1 g. Each of the plurality ofthird portions 211P3 g may include a fourth branch portion 211BP4 g, afifth branch portion 211BP5 g, and a sixth branch portion 211BP6 g. Thefourth branch portion 211BP4 g, the fifth branch portion 211BP5 g, andthe sixth branch portion 211BP6 g may be provided to be integrated witheach other.

The fourth branch portion 211BP4 g may protrude from the first portion211P1 g. One end of the fourth branch portion 211BP4 g may be adjacentto the first portion 211P1 g, and the other end of the fourth branchportion 211BP4 g may be adjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 g.The fourth branch portion 211BP4 g may extend in the second directionDR2.

The fifth branch portion 211BP5 g may protrude from the fourth branchportion 211BP4 g. One end of the fifth branch portion 211BP5 g may beadjacent to the fourth branch portion 211BP4 g, and the other end of thefifth branch portion 211BP5 g may be adjacent to the sixth branchportion 211BP6 g. The fifth branch portion 211BP5 g may extend in thesecond cross direction DRb.

The sixth branch portion 211BP6 g may protrude from the fifth branchportion 211BP5 g. One end of the sixth branch portion 211BP6 g may beadjacent to the fifth branch portion 211BP5 g, and the other end of thesixth branch portion 211BP6 g may be adjacent to the first cross portion212P1 g. The sixth branch portion 211BP6 g may extend in the firstdirection DR1.

The cross electrode 212 g may include a first cross pattern 212PT1 g, asecond cross pattern 212PT2 g, and a bridge pattern 212Bg.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 g may include a first cross portion 212P1g, a second cross portion 212P2 g, and a third cross portion 212P3 g.

The first cross portion 212P1 g may extend in the second direction DR2.

The second cross portion 212P2 g may face the first portion 211P1 g. Thesecond cross portion 212P2 g may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 g. The second cross portion 212P2 g may extend in the first crossdirection DRa.

The third cross portion 212P3 g may be spaced apart from the secondcross portion 212P2 g with the first cross portion 212P1 g therebetween.The third cross portion 212P3 g may face the first portion 211P1 g. Thethird cross portion 212P3 g may protrude from the first cross portion212P1 g. The third cross portion 212P3 g may surround one of theplurality of third portions 211P3 g. The third cross portion 212P3 g mayextend in the second cross direction DRb.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 g may be spaced apart from the firstcross pattern 212PT1 g with the first portion 211P1 g therebetween. Thefirst cross pattern 212PT1 g and the second cross pattern 212PT2 g maybe point symmetrical with respect to the first point PT1. The secondcross pattern 212PT2 g may include a fourth cross portion 212P4 g, afifth cross portion 212P5 g, and a sixth cross portion 212P6 g. Thefourth cross portion 212P4 g, the fifth cross portion 212P5 g, and thesixth cross portion 212P6 g may be provided to be integrated with eachother.

The fourth cross portion 212P4 g may extend in the second direction DR2.

The fifth cross portion 212P5 g may face the first portion 211P1 g. Thefifth cross portion 212P5 g may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 g. The fifth cross portion 212P5 g may surround another one of theplurality of third portions 211P3 g. The fifth cross portion 212P5 g mayextend in the second cross direction DRb.

The sixth cross portion 212P6 g may be spaced apart from the fifth crossportion 212P5 g with the fourth cross portion 212P4 g therebetween. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 g may face the first portion 211P1 g. Thesixth cross portion 212P6 g may protrude from the fourth cross portion212P4 g. The sixth cross portion 212P6 g may extend in the first crossdirection DRa.

The bridge pattern 212Bg may electrically connect the first crosspattern 212PT1 g to the second cross pattern 212PT2 g. The bridgepattern 212Bg may cross or intersect the first portion 211P1 g in a planview while remaining insulated from the first portion 211P1 g.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 g, the plurality of third portions 211P3 g, thesecond cross portion 212P2 g, the third cross portion 212P3 g, the fifthcross portion 212P5 g, and the sixth cross portions 212P6 g may belocated adjacent to each other. The plurality of second portions 211P2g, the plurality of third portions 211P3 g, the second cross portion212P2 g, the third cross portion 212P3 g, the fifth cross portion 212P5g, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 g may have a shape interdigitatedwith each other. A boundary on which each of the plurality of secondportions 211P2 g, each of the plurality of third portions 211P3 g, thesecond cross portion 212P2 g, the third cross portion 212P3 g, the fifthcross portion 212P5 g, and the sixth cross portion 212P6 g face eachother may increase in length. Accordingly, mutual capacitance betweenthe electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g may increase. Also, anamount of change in mutual capacitance before and after the input of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may increase. Thus, the sensingsensitivity of the sensor layer 200 may be improved.

When viewed on the plane, the outer portion of the electrode area BD6,which is defined by the plurality of second portions 211P2 g, theplurality of third portions 211P3 g, the second cross portion 212P2 g,the third cross portion 212P3 g, the fourth cross portion 212P4 g, andthe fifth cross portion 212P5 g may have an octagonal shape. Forexample, the outermost portion of an area defined by the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 g, the third cross portion 212P3 g, and the sixthcross portion 212P6 g may have an octagonal shape.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an area on whichthe electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g cross or intersecteach other while remaining insulated from each other may have anoctagonal shape by the portions respectively extending in the firstdirection DR1, the second direction DR2, the first cross direction DRa,and the second cross direction DRb. A deviation of the interval betweenthe electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g may be reduced.Therefore, a deviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitancebetween the electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g before andafter the input of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) according to theposition of the user's body 3000 (see FIG. 2) may be reduced. Also, adeviation in amount of change in the mutual capacitance between each ofthe electrode 211 g and the cross electrode 212 g and the input device2000 (see FIG. 2) before and after the sensing of the input device 2000(see FIG. 2) according to the position of the input device 2000 (seeFIG. 2) may be reduced. Thus, accuracy of each of the coordinates of theuser's body 3000 (see FIG. 2), which are calculated using the sensorlayer 200, and the coordinates of the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) maybe improved, and sensing reliability of the sensor layer 200 may beimproved.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the sub sensing unit according to someembodiments of the inventive concept. In description of FIG. 13, thesame reference numerals are used for the components described in FIG.5A, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 13, the plurality of sensing units 210 mayinclude at least one sub sensing unit 210Ah. The at least one subsensing unit 210Ah may include an electrode 211 h, an cross electrode212 h, and a plurality of dummy electrodes 213. The sensor layer 200 mayacquire information on an external input through a change in mutualcapacitance between the electrode 211 h and the cross electrode 212 h.

The electrode 211 h may have a shape symmetrical with respect to thefirst axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. The electrode 211 h may includea first portion 211P1 h and a plurality of second portions 211P2 h. Thefirst portion 211P1 h and the plurality of second portions 211P2 h maybe provided to be integrated with each other.

The first portion 211P1 h may extend in the first direction DR1.

The plurality of second portions 211P2 h may be symmetrical to eachother with respect to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2. Theplurality of second portions 211P2 h may protrude from the first portion211P1 h. The plurality of second portions 211P2 h may surround theplurality of second cross portions 212P2 h. Each of the plurality ofsecond portions 211P2 h may extend in a first cross direction DRa or asecond cross direction DRb.

The cross electrode 212 h may include a first cross pattern 212PT1 h, asecond cross pattern 212PT2 h, and a bridge pattern 212Bh.

The first cross pattern 212PT1 h may have a shape symmetrical withrespect to the second axis AX2. The first cross pattern 212PT1 h mayinclude a first cross portion 212P1 h and a plurality of second crossportions 212P2 h.

The first cross portion 212P1 h may extend in the second direction DR2.

The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 h may face the firstportion 211P1 h. The plurality of second cross portions 212P2 h mayprotrude from the first cross portion 212P1 h. The plurality of secondcross portions 212P2 h may extend in the first cross direction DRa orthe second cross direction DRb. The plurality of second cross portions212P2 h may be symmetrical to each other with respect to the second axisAX2.

The second cross pattern 212PT2 h may be spaced apart from the firstcross pattern 212PT1 h with the first portion 211P1 h therebetween. Thefirst cross pattern 212PT1 h and the second cross pattern 212PT2 h maybe symmetrical with respect to the first axis AX1.

The bridge pattern 212Bh may electrically connect the first crosspattern 212PT1 h to the second cross pattern 212PT2 h. The bridgepattern 212Bh may cross or intersect the first portion 211P1 h whileremaining insulated from the first portion 211P1 h.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the electrode211 h and the cross electrode 212 h may be located adjacent to eachother. The electrode 211 h and the cross electrode 212 h may have ashape interdigitated with each other. A boundary on which the electrode211 h and the cross electrode 212 h face each other may increase inlength. Accordingly, mutual capacitance between the electrode 211 h andthe cross electrode 212 h may increase. Also, an amount of change inmutual capacitance before and after the input of the user's body 3000(see FIG. 2) may increase. Thus, the sensing sensitivity of the sensorlayer 200 may be improved.

FIG. 14A is a view illustrating the sensor layer in a first modeaccording to some embodiments of the inventive concept, and FIG. 14B isa view illustrating the sensor layer in a second mode according to someembodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, a plurality of sensing units 210 may belocated on the active area 200A. FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate 16 sensingunits as an example, but the operation of the inventive concept is notlimited by the number of sensing units. One sensing unit 210 may includeat least one sub sensing unit 210A.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an example in which one sensing unit 210includes one sub sensing unit 210A, the embodiments according to theinventive concept are not limited thereto.

In the first mode, each of the plurality of electrodes 211 may operateas a transmission electrode, and each of the plurality of crosselectrodes 212 may operate as a reception electrode. However, this ismerely an example. For example, the operations of the plurality ofelectrodes 211 and the plurality of cross electrodes 212 according tosome embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. Forexample, in the first mode, each of the plurality of cross electrodes212 may operate as a transmission electrode, and each of the pluralityof electrodes 211 may operate as a reception electrode. In the firstmode, a sensor driver SC may sense an external input by sensing a changein mutual capacitance generated between the electrode 211 and the crosselectrode 212.

The plurality of lines 220 (see FIG. 4) may include a plurality of firstlines 221 and a plurality of second lines 222. The plurality of firstlines 221 may be electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes211, respectively. The plurality of second lines 222 may be electricallyconnected to the plurality of cross electrodes 212.

In the first mode, the sensor driver SC may provide a driving signal 51to the plurality of electrodes 211. In the first mode, the sensor driverSC may receive a sensing signal S2 from the plurality of crosselectrodes 212. Thus, the sensor driver SC may acquire a coordinatevalue for a position at which an input is provided based on the amountof change in the sensing signals 51 and S2.

When the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) approaches the sensor layer 200(see FIG. 4), it may enter a second mode for sensing the sensor layer200 (see FIG. 4). The input device 2000 (see FIG. 2) may transmit andreceive data into and from the sensor driver SC through the sensor layer200 (see FIG. 4).

In the second mode, each of the plurality of electrodes 211 and theplurality of cross electrodes 212 may be used as a reception electrodefor providing signals Sa and Sb provided from the input device 2000 (seeFIG. 2) to the sensor driver SC. In this case, the signals Sa and Sb maybe referred to as downlink signals. However, this is merely an example.For example, the operations of the signals Sa and Sb according to someembodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. Forexample, in the second mode, each of the plurality of electrodes 211 andthe plurality of cross electrodes 212 may be used as a transmissionelectrode for providing the signals Sa and Sb provided from the sensordriver SC to the input device 2000 (see FIG. 2). In this case, thesignals Sa and Sb may be referred to as uplink signals. That is, in thesecond mode, the plurality of electrodes 211 and the plurality of crosselectrodes 212 may be used as mode transmission electrodes or modereception electrodes.

FIG. 14C is a plan view of the sensor layer according to someembodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 14C, a plurality of sensing units 210 may belocated on the active area 200A. One sensing unit 210 may include foursub sensing units 210Ai.

The plurality of lines 220 may include a plurality of first lines 221and a plurality of second lines 222, which are electrically connected tothe plurality of sub sensing units 210Ai. Each of the plurality of firstlines 221 may be connected to two sub sensing units 210Ai, and each ofthe plurality of second lines 222 may be connected to two sub sensingunits 210Ai.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, one line 220 maybe connected to a plurality of sub sensing units 210Ai. Even if onesensing unit is divided into a plurality of sub sensing units, thenumber of lines required when providing a signal to the sensor layer 200may be the same as the number of lines when one sensing unit is notdivided into a plurality of sub sensing units. In this case, since anadditional line is not required, a surface area of the peripheral area200N may not increase. Therefore, it is possible to implement a narrowbezel.

FIG. 14D is a plan view of the sensor layer according to someembodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 14D, a plurality of sensing units 210 may belocated on the active region 200A. One sensing unit 210 may include 16sub sensing units 210Aj.

The plurality of lines 220 may include a plurality of first lines 221and a plurality of second lines 222, which are electrically connected tothe plurality of sub sensing units 210Aj. Each of the plurality of firstlines 221 may be connected to four sub sensing units 210Aj. Each of theplurality of second lines 222 may be connected to four sub sensing units210Aj.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, one line 220 maybe connected to the plurality of sub sensing units 210Aj. Even if onesensing unit is divided into a plurality of sub sensing units, thenumber of lines required when providing a signal to the sensor layer 200may be the same as the number of lines when one sensing unit is notdivided into a plurality of sub sensing units. In this case, since anadditional line is not required, a surface area of the peripheral area200N may not increase. Therefore, it is possible to implement a narrowbezel.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the electronicdevice may include the display layer and the sensor layer. The sensorlayer may include the electrode and the cross electrode. The electrodeand the cross electrode may be located adjacent to each other. A portionof the electrode and a portion of the cross electrode may have the shapeinterdigitated with each other. The boundary on which a portion of theelectrode and a portion of the cross electrode face each other mayincrease in length. Therefore, the mutual capacitance between theelectrode and the cross electrode may increase. In addition, the amountof change in mutual capacitance before and after the user's input mayincrease. Therefore, the sensing sensitivity of the sensor layer may beimproved.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, the area onwhich the electrode and the cross electrode cross or intersect eachother in a plan view while remaining insulated from each other may havethe octagonal shape by the portions that respectively extend in thefirst direction, the second direction, the first cross direction, andthe second cross direction. A deviation in interval between theelectrode and the cross electrode may be reduced. The deviation inamount of change in mutual capacitance between the electrode and thecross electrode before and after the user's input according to theposition of the user's input may be reduced. In addition, the deviationin amount of change in capacitance between each of the electrode and thecross electrode and the input device may be reduced. Therefore, theaccuracy of each of the coordinates of the user's input calculated usingthe sensor layer and the coordinates of the input device may beimproved, and the sensing reliability of the sensor layer may beimproved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and deviations can be made in the inventive concept. Thus,it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications anddeviations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Hence, the real protective scopeof the inventive concept shall be determined by the technical scope ofthe accompanying claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display layer;and a sensor layer on the display layer, the sensor layer having anactive area and a peripheral area adjacent to the active area andcomprising a plurality of sensing units on the active area and aplurality of lines on the peripheral area, wherein each of the pluralityof sensing units comprises at least one sub sensing unit, the at leastone sub sensing unit comprises: a first pattern comprising a firstportion and a second portion protruding from the first portion; a firstcross pattern comprising a first cross portion and a second crossportion protruding from the first cross portion; a second cross patternspaced apart from the first cross pattern with the first portiontherebetween; and a bridge pattern electrically connected to the firstcross pattern and the second cross pattern, wherein the bridge patterncrosses the first portion in a plan view and is insulated from the firstportion, the first portion extends in a first direction, the first crossportion extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, thesecond portion extends in a first cross direction crossing the firstdirection and the second direction to face the first cross portion, andthe second cross portion extends in the first cross direction to facethe first portion.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thesecond portion is provided in plural, and the plurality of secondportions surround the plurality of second cross portions, respectively.3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first pattern has ashape in which a shape symmetrical with respect to a first axisextending in the first direction is symmetrical with a second axisextending in the second direction, the first cross pattern has a shapesymmetrical with respect to the second axis, and the first cross patternand the second cross pattern have shapes symmetrical to each other withrespect to the first axis.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, whereinthe first pattern further comprises a third portion protruding from thefirst portion in the second direction, and the second portion furthercomprises: a first branch portion adjacent to the first portion andextending in the second direction; a second branch portion adjacent tothe first branch portion and extending in the first cross direction; anda third branch portion adjacent to the second branch portion, facing thefirst cross portion, and extending in the first direction.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 4, wherein the second cross portion isbetween the second portion and the third portion.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 3, wherein the first cross pattern further comprises athird cross portion protruding from the first cross portion in the firstdirection, and the second cross portion comprises: a first cross branchportion adjacent to the first cross portion and extending in the firstdirection; a second cross branch portion adjacent to the first crossbranch portion and extending in the first cross direction; and a thirdcross branch portion adjacent to the second cross branch portion, facingthe first portion, and extending in the second direction.
 7. Theelectronic device of claim 6, wherein the second portion is between thesecond cross portion and the third cross portion.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the first pattern further comprises a thirdportion spaced apart from the second portion with the first crosspattern therebetween and protruding from the first portion, the secondportion comprises: a first branch portion adjacent to the first portionand extending in the second direction; a second branch portion adjacentto the first branch portion and extending in the first cross direction;and a third branch portion adjacent to the second branch portion, facingthe first cross portion, and extending in the first direction, and thethird portion comprises: a fourth branch portion adjacent to the firstportion and extending in the second direction; a fifth branch portionadjacent to the fourth branch portion and extending in a second crossdirection crossing the first cross direction; and a sixth branch portionadjacent to the fifth branch portion and extending in the firstdirection.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first crosspattern further comprises a third cross portion protruding from thefirst cross portion, and the second portion surrounds the second crossportion, and the third cross portion surrounds the third portion. 10.The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first pattern has a shapesymmetrical with respect to a first axis extending in the firstdirection, and the first cross pattern and the second cross pattern haveshapes symmetrical to each other with respect to the first axis.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 9, wherein the first pattern has a shape thatis point symmetrical with respect to a first point at which a first axisextending in the first direction and a second axis extending in thesecond direction cross each other, and the first cross pattern and thesecond cross pattern have shape symmetrical to each other with respectto the first point.
 12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thefirst pattern further comprises a third portion spaced apart from thesecond portion with the first pattern therebetween and protruding fromthe first portion, the second portion comprises: a first branch portionadjacent to the first portion and extending in the second direction; asecond branch portion adjacent to the first branch portion and extendingin the first cross direction; and a third branch portion adjacent to thesecond branch portion and extending in the first direction, and thethird portion comprises: a fourth branch portion adjacent to the firstportion and extending in the second direction; a fifth branch portionadjacent to the fourth branch portion and extending in a second crossdirection crossing the first cross direction; and a sixth branch portionadjacent to the fifth branch portion and extending in the firstdirection.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the secondcross pattern comprises a third cross portion extending in the seconddirection and spaced apart from the first cross portion with the firstportion therebetween and a fourth cross portion protruding from thethird cross portion, and the second cross portion surrounds the secondportion, and the third portion surrounds the fourth cross portion. 14.The electronic device of claim 13, wherein each of the first pattern,the first cross pattern, and the second cross pattern has a shapesymmetrical with respect to a second axis extending in the seconddirection.
 15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the firstpattern has a shape that is point symmetrical with respect to a firstpoint at which a first axis extending in the first direction and asecond axis extending in the second direction cross each other, and thefirst cross pattern and the second cross pattern have shapes symmetricalto each other with respect to the first point.
 16. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the first pattern, the first cross pattern, thesecond cross pattern, and the bridge pattern have a mesh structure. 17.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sub sensingunit is provided in plurality, and the plurality of lines comprise afirst line and a second line, which are electrically connected to theplurality of sub sensing units.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17,wherein the first line is electrically connected to the first pattern,and the second line is electrically connected to the first crosspattern, the second cross pattern, and the bridge pattern.
 19. Anelectronic device comprising: a display layer; and a sensor layer on thedisplay layer, the sensor layer having active area and a peripheral areaadjacent to the active area, the sensor layer comprising a plurality ofsensing units on the active area and a plurality of lines on theperipheral area, wherein the sensor layer is configured to sense aninput of an input device, wherein each of the plurality of sensing unitscomprises at least one sub sensing unit, the at least one sub sensingunit comprises: an electrode comprising a first portion extending in afirst direction and a plurality of second portions protruding from thefirst portion; and an cross electrode comprising a plurality of firstcross portions extending in a second direction crossing the firstdirection, a plurality of second cross portions respectively protrudingfrom the plurality of first cross portions, and a bridge patterninsulated from the first portion, each of the plurality of secondportions comprises: a first branch portion extending in the seconddirection; a second branch portion extending from the first branchportion and extending in a cross direction crossing the first directionand the second direction; and a third branch portion extending from thesecond branch portion and extending in the first direction, and thesensor layer is configured to sense the input by touch through a changein mutual capacitance generated between the electrode and the crosselectrode and senses an input by the input device through a change incapacitance of each of the electrode and the cross electrode.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of sensingunits comprises a plurality of sub sensing units, the plurality of linescomprise a first line and a second line, the first line is electricallyconnected to each of the plurality of sub sensing units, and the secondline is electrically connected to the cross electrode of each of theplurality of sub sensing units.
 21. The electronic device of claim 19,wherein the outermost portion of an electrode area defined by theplurality of second portions and the plurality of second cross portionshas an octagonal shape in a plan view.
 22. The electronic device ofclaim 19, wherein the second branch portion of each of the plurality ofsecond portions is adjacent to each of the plurality of second crossportions.
 23. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein each of theelectrode and the cross electrode has a shape symmetrical with respectto a first axis extending in the first direction.
 24. The electronicdevice of claim 19, wherein each of the electrode and the crosselectrode have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a second axisextending in the second direction.
 25. The electronic device of claim19, wherein each of the first electrode and the cross electrode have ashape that is point symmetrical with respect to a first point at which afirst axis extending in the first direction and a second axis extendingin the second direction cross each other.